Ordering things online has never been easier. A few clicks here, a scroll there, and you’ve purchased your desired product. Nowadays, you can also buy medications online, as pharmacies offer to restock or buy new medications without you moving a single step. As a result, the lure of shifting to online pharmacies is inevitable. After all, why would you step out if you could buy medication online from the comfort of your couch?

Moreover, many prefer buying medications online from Canadian pharmacies, as it is much cost-efficient. People suffering from chronic illnesses, those dependent on doctors to refill prescription medicines, people who cannot afford medication, or have been bedridden can also find refuge with these online solutions. However, sometimes, like any other online products, even medicines can be a hit or miss. So, we decided to check how true or false these claims are to ease your worries.

If you are indecisive about this and before you set out to buy medication, these are a few things you should know about buying medication online.

Advantages of going traditional instead of online

Offline pharmacies go through an extensive process to seek FDA approval before they are up and running. This ensures that the medicines are strictly checked and that the person selling the medicines adheres to the rules laid out. Walking into a pharmacy to buy medicines gives you the security of an effective purchase.

When buying medicines firsthand, without the Internet as your medium, you are aware of what you are buying according to your prescription. These licensed pharmacies assure you of the quality in accordance with FDA’s standards, so you can be sure that you aren’t receiving counterfeit medicines. Plus, the act of personally buying things helps build trust.

As an increased number of people turn to the Internet to understand, diagnose, and even self-medicate, online pharmacies have started to gain popularity. While this saves time, it is also fairly risky as medicines should only be taken with professional advice. It is crucial to be aware of the medication’s side-effects, dosage, and possible harmful interactions. However, when medicines are made available without the need for a prescription, there could be side effects.

Online or offline?

How do you decide which pharmacy to buy from? The abundance of counterfeit medicines in the market have made it difficult for people to buy medication safely. Also, the presence of various unregistered drug-distributing websites makes it trickier to rely on online shopping. Buying from these unregistered and unlicensed websites can be dangerous as the medicine, if not counterfeit, can be diluted or out-dated. Moreover, anyone who sells medicines without a prescription cannot be trusted.

Don’t let this derail you from shopping for medicines. All you have to do is find which websites are reliable, and steer away from the sketchy ones. We have listed some tips here to help you understand if the website you have been using is worth your time and money.

• Check the source
  Always check reputable and reliable websites. If you are wary of the website’s license to sell medicines, simply check their status on the state board of pharmacy or NABP’s website. Ensure that the pharmacy has a US-based location. If the pharmacy does not have the licensing information on the website, consider it a red flag.
• Check the authenticity of bargain deals
  Don’t let the eye-catching deals on medicine purchase fool you. If the cost of medicines was genuinely low, you would be able to find it at the same price elsewhere, too. Extremely low priced medicines are dangerous as there is no assurance of its quality. However, this does not mean you won’t find decent bargains online; if the deal is jaw-dropping, it’s not worth your money.
• Check the VIPPS seal
  Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites or the VIPPS seal is provided by the NABP after a website is screened. If the website sports this seal, it means that it has been approved by the NABP and you don’t have to worry about its reliability. If the website does not have this seal, it is yet another red flag.
• Check the domain in the web address
  The domain “.pharmacy” at the end of a website is a sign of trust. If the pharmacy you are looking at sports this domain, you can freely buy from them. This domain address requires legal permission.

• Check for a pharmacist
  The website should be able to connect you to a pharmacist via phone, email, or an online chatbot. This will solve your doubts and queries and provide professional healthcare suggestions. It is advisable to fill prescriptions with the same pharmacy, as this helps build trust. The pharmacist can also tell you which medicines you can or cannot take.
• Check for prescription requirement
  If the pharmacy does not ask you for a prescription, avoid buying from them. Submission of a prescription ensures safety, as it is checked by a pharmacist. It also ensures you do not receive the wrong medicines.

If you stick to the above checklist, buying medicines online should be a fairly easy activity. It is only a matter of finding a pharmacy you can trust. Once you have achieved that, you are good to buy medication online anytime anywhere. To stay vigilant, check the website’s privacy policies. Also, under no circumstances should you share your personal information with the pharmacy unless you trust them and the situation asks for it.